6-Day Syria Trip » Damascus + Aleppo + Latakia Coast + Krak

Begin your journey with a 7:00 am pickup in Beirut and drive to the Syrian border, arriving around 9:00 am. After completing border formalities, continue toward Damascus and check in at your hotel by 11:00 am. Begin visits at midday with some of the capital’s central landmarks.

Start at the National Museum of Damascus, displaying artifacts from Palmyra, Ugarit, and the Islamic era. Proceed to Takiyya Suleimaniah, an Ottoman-era complex from the 16th century, now home to a crafts market. Then visit Khan Assad Basha, one of the finest surviving caravanserais in Syria, built in the 18th century. Continue to Al Azem Palace, a former Ottoman governor’s residence. The day ends with a walk through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq leading to the Umayyad Mosque, completed in 715 CE.

This day introduces the foundational layers of Damascus’s historical and architectural core.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3 hours (including border procedures)

Historical Context:

• Umayyad Mosque: Built over a Roman temple and Byzantine church by Caliph Al-Walid I.
• Khan Assad Basha: Constructed in 1751 during Ottoman rule.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Takiyya Suleimaniah was originally both a mosque and a resting place for dervishes.
• Al-Hamidiyeh Souq still follows its original late-Ottoman street plan.

5 Key Highlights:

• Archaeological visit to Damascus National Museum
• Ottoman-era Takiyya complex and market
• Grand interior of Khan Assad Basha
• Umayyad Mosque and surroundings
• Covered walk through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq

Important for you:
Ottoman Damascus architecture, Umayyad heritage, traditional city markets

Depart Damascus in the morning and head north toward Idlib. Stop for a short break and brief walk in the city center, providing a glimpse of contemporary life in the northwest region of Syria. Continue your journey to Aleppo, arriving around midday to begin your exploration.

Start at the Khan al-Harir (Silk Souq), where traders once passed through on their way between Anatolia and Mesopotamia. Walk through the Old City, one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the world. Visit the Armenian Forty Martyrs Cathedral and continue to the Aleppo Citadel, a fortified site in use since the Bronze Age, largely expanded under Ayyubid and Mamluk rule. End the day at the Soap Factory, where traditional laurel soap is still handmade.

This day connects the modern and ancient character of Syria’s northern cities.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 370 km – 6 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Aleppo Citadel: Fortified in its current form in the 12th–13th centuries.
• Forty Martyrs Cathedral: Built in 1491; restored after wartime damage.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Aleppo’s laurel soap uses a cold-process method dating back centuries.
• Idlib was once home to the ancient city of Ebla, a major Bronze Age kingdom.

5 Key Highlights:

• Idlib city stop for orientation
• Historic Khan al-Harir and Old Aleppo walk
• Aleppo Citadel with panoramic views
• Visit to Armenian church
• Laurel soap production insight

Important for you:
Aleppo old city heritage, Ayyubid fortress, traditional soap craft

Leave Aleppo early and head south to Saidnaya Monastery, established by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and still a functioning place of worship. Continue to Mar Musa Monastery, located high in the Qalamoun mountains, originally built in the 6th century and revived in the late 20th century.

From there, journey west to the forested highlands to visit Salah al-Din Castle (formerly Saône), known for its impressive rock-cut moat and layered Crusader and Islamic architecture. After exploring the fortress, continue to the Mediterranean coastal city of Latakia for overnight.

This day transitions from Syria’s highland monasteries to its coastal Crusader defenses.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 430 km – 7.5 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Mar Musa: Contains well-preserved frescoes and Arabic-Syriac inscriptions.
• Salah al-Din Castle: Captured by Saladin in 1188 during the Crusades.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• The moat at Salah al-Din was cut directly into bedrock, over 20 meters deep.
• Mar Musa is a center of Christian-Muslim dialogue in the region.

5 Key Highlights:

• 6th-century monastery at Saidnaya
• Scenic visit to remote Mar Musa
• Crusader-Islamic blend at Salah al-Din Castle
• Walk across the fortress moat bridge
• Arrival in Latakia coastal area

Important for you:
Byzantine monastery route, Crusader fortifications, interfaith monastery experience

Begin the day at the nearby ruins of Ugarit, the ancient city that produced the world’s first known alphabet around 1400 BCE. Continue along the coast to Markab Castle, a black basalt fortress dramatically positioned over the sea, controlled by the Hospitallers during the Crusades.

Then drive south to Tartous, from where you’ll take a short boat trip to Arwad Island, the only inhabited island in Syria. Explore the small harbor, local castle, and streets of the former Phoenician stronghold. Return to Tartous in the late afternoon for overnight.

This day connects ancient Mediterranean seafaring with Crusader and coastal urban history.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 190 km – 4.5 hours (plus short boat crossing)

Historical Context:

• Ugarit: Destroyed around 1200 BCE; its writing system influenced later Semitic scripts.
• Arwad: Originally a Phoenician city-state, later used by Crusaders and Mamluks.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• The Ugaritic language used a 30-letter alphabet written in cuneiform.
• Arwad’s fortress was once a staging point for Crusader ships.

5 Key Highlights:

• Alphabet history at Ugarit ruins
• Seaside views from Markab Castle
• Boat trip to Arwad Island
• Coastal culture in Tartous
• Walking tour of Arwad’s walled town

Important for you:
Ugaritic script site, Crusader port history, Syria’s only island settlement

Depart Tartous and stop first at the archaeological site of Amrit, home to one of the region’s best-preserved Phoenician temples and Hellenistic-era sports facilities. From there, continue to Safita to see the Chastel Blanc, a Crusader tower still used as a church.

In the afternoon, drive inland to Krak des Chevaliers, the most famous and best-preserved Crusader castle in Syria. Walk through its defensive towers, chapel, and vaulted storage rooms. Stop briefly in Homs to visit the Church of Um Al-Zenar, believed to contain a relic of the Virgin Mary’s belt. Continue to Damascus for overnight.

This day offers an overview of religious and military architecture across different civilizations.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 350 km – 6.5 hours drive

Historical Context:

• Amrit: Founded in the 3rd millennium BCE; flourished under the Phoenicians and Persians.
• Chastel Blanc: Maintained by the Knights Templar and later modified by the Mamluks.

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Amrit’s temple is cut directly into bedrock, surrounded by a sacred water channel.
• The Krak’s massive size allowed it to support a garrison of 2,000 soldiers.

5 Key Highlights:

• Temple ruins of Amrit
• Crusader tower still in religious use at Safita
• Full interior tour of Krak des Chevaliers
• Early Christian relic at Homs
• Evening return to Damascus

Important for you:
Phoenician temples, Crusader military sites, Christian relics in Syria

After breakfast, depart Damascus at 8:00 am for the journey to the Syrian-Lebanese border, arriving around 9:00 am. After completing exit formalities, continue to Beirut with expected arrival around 12:00 pm.

This day concludes your journey through Syria’s coast, mountains, and ancient cities.

Travel Distance & Time: Approx. 120 km – 3 hours (including border procedures)

5 Key Highlights:

• Departure from Damascus
• Border exit into Lebanon
• Road journey through Anti-Lebanon range
• Return to Beirut
• End of services

Important for you:
Syria–Lebanon exit, Beirut overland return, journey wrap-up